Seven Individuals Arrested for Firearms Trafficking

The defendants were arrested on September 5 and 12

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On August 30, 2017, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against seven individuals for conspiracy to engage in firearms trafficking without a license, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The agencies in charge of the investigation are the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the US Postal Inspector Service and the Puerto Rico Police Department, with the collaboration of the US Marshals.

The object of the conspiracy was to purchase firearms in the states of Georgia and Florida, transport them to Puerto Rico, and sell them to other individuals in Puerto Rico, for profit. The defendants purchased firearms and sent them to Puerto Rico using the mail. Other defendants would receive, store and deliver the firearms in exchange for money. During the course of the investigation law enforcement agents seized numerous rifles and handguns that this organization shipped to Puerto Rico.

“We will vigorously prosecute those involved in the illegal sale and trafficking of firearms, which are then used in the commission of violent crimes,” said United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “We are committed to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, who all too frequently endanger our community.”

“ATF is the premier federal agency tasked with enforcing violations of the Gun Control Act of 1968. We are committed to reducing the number of crime guns that are being used in our communities,” said Peter J. Forcelli, Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Division. “We will not rest in our efforts to stem the flow of firearms that are being trafficked into the hands of criminals from both within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and from points on the mainland. This case is one example of our efforts to work with our Federal and local law enforcement partners to accomplish this task.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández is in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.